So much for one of the traditions of our sport. 

Reebok may be the people that destroyed some of the traditions of hockey as we know it, and shot it down like 4 point buck in the frozen tundra.

As you can see, this is what the Eastern Conference all-star jersey looks like, copliments of the ‘winy, cry baby, I am better than all of you, and will let you know about it, you can’t hit me, but I can slash and smack you all I want’, Sidney Crosby.

I guess that for a player, as the primary use of this jersey, it is a benefit.  It is supposed to push away a great deal of the sweat, as well as allow the player to have his skin breathe better in it, than the old CCM heavier material.  For that, I totally understand the reasoning.  Anything to help improve the sport for the player will get my vote, no questions asked.

However, does changing the ingredients of the uniform, give Reebok the right to change the look of teams uniforms that have been the same way for decades?

In the opinion of this writer, I think not!

No matter if you are a fan of the team, or not, I do not think that it is a clothier’s right to change the appearance of a uniform, without the team giving the blessing.  You can make jersey streamlined and better to wear, but why change the striping of the Canadiens red and blue?  Or make the shoulder boards missing off the Ranger whites? (Honestly, I don’t really care, but using as an example)  Who made Reebok the official designer of the 30 teams?

When baseball switched to Russel Athletic, the uniforms did not change when the companies did.  The quality and craftsmanship of the shirts and pants may have been altered, but the Yankee pinstripes still look like the same Yankee pinstripes.  Why reinvent the wheel, when all it needs is just a tweak here and there.

But to be honest, as fans, it will be the cost of these new uniforms that will drive away people from purchasing them.  Over $400 for a game weight jersey numbered?  Not my money!  I can find better ways of spending my money.  In addition, the ‘replica’ would be around $200 +, and from what I am told, it will have a ’screen printed’ logo.  That is a COMPLETE waste of money.

As an Islander fan, I have gone down this road before.  I know what it feels like to have your representation of your team be not only destroyed, but end up being a laughing stock.  The uniform, for the fan, is your identity.  It tells a story of who and what you are.  For those 18 months or so, that “Stan Fischler on acid” man holding a hockey stick like a fish hook, was not the way I wanted to be protrayed as.  The look of the team that won 19 straight playoff series and four Stanley Cup trophies is the way.  The look of 1972, which will be re-done on Saturday’s game against Buffalo, would be fine as well.  At least it was a look that was liked by the faithful.

If Reebok went to focus groups on these changes, I guess they called out for people in the bars at three in the morning, according to people that have seen an advanced look.  Soon, they will be on display for the viewing public.  You will be the judge and see for yourself, what our future look will be.  I am sure that the fans will let the NHL know just what they feel about the look.  Again, with my Islander roots, our fans, as a whole let everyone know what we felt about ‘the fisherman’!  It is gone, like NEW COKE!

Skills should be fun tonight — let’s see what it brings.

Posted under Ramblings